X_box_X's greatest 50 players since 2000

[theasian]

This list is purely what players have done from 2000 onwards, not counting what they've done before the new millennium. Otherwise you'd have Wayne Carey up near the top 3

Carey played just a couple of years in the 00s. I'm talking about guys who played 8-9 years in the 00s and played their best footy in that period.Players like Cousins, Tredrea, Fevola, Akermanis even Lloyd.

They played their best footy in the 00s, but only played 7-9 years of the period covered. Feel they are rated slightly lower than they should.

Voss and perhaps McLeod seem to be the exceptions.

 

[timtamWB]

Carey played just a couple of years in the 00s. I'm talking about guys who played 8-9 years in the 00s. Players like Cousins, Tredrea, Fevola, Akermanis even Lloyd.

They played their best footy in the 00s, but only played 7-9 years of the period covered. Feel they are rated slightly lower than they should.

Fevola I think is way too low. Aker could be a bit higher as well. But apart from that, Cousins and Tredrea both top 20, Lloyd 25. And they could be a couple of places out, but it's not easy to rate them. You move Cousins up, and you move Buckley and Hird down, which I wouldn't do.

 

[theasian]

Fevola I think is way too low. Aker could be a bit higher as well. But apart from that, Cousins and Tredrea both top 20, Lloyd 25. And they could be a couple of places out, but it's not easy to rate them. You move Cousins up, and you move Buckley and Hird down, which I wouldn't do.

Hayes, Hodge and Harvey. I feel all three are bit too high.

Hodge's Norm Smith has made him a bit overrated.

He was even selected on a HBF for the Herald Sun Best team from 1990 onward ahead of guys like Enright & McKenna.


I do agree that it's not easy rating them and the OP is doing a magnificent Job !

 

[X_box_X]

But I don't think the players who played for let's say 8-9 years should be pushed down just because another bloke played the whole 15 years. The guy who played all 9 years at the very elite level deserves to be rated higher than a guy who played 15 years but only had 7-8 elite years.

Most of the players who have been listed a bit lower due to them not playing their whole careers in this century actually played most of their best football in the 00s.

And that's your criteria. So make your own list.

Next time I'll change the criteria to "greatest players since 2000, but discounts apply to those players who played from 2000-2014 cause it's unfair on those who played from 1995-2007 who don't get rated as high".

 

[SterlingArcher]

But I don't think the players who played for let's say 8-9 years should be pushed down just because another bloke played the whole 15 years. The guy who played all 9 years at the very elite level deserves to be rated higher than a guy who played 15 years but only had 7-8 elite years.

Most of the players who have been listed a bit lower due to them not playing their whole careers in this century actually played most of their best football in the 00s.

Who did?

Cousins? Nope. 11 years. 10 seasons. 1 injury year (7 games). 2 good without being spectacular years at Richmond. Only 7 'elite years' and that's not getting into much depth re: 2000 and 2002.

Fevola? Nope. 11 seasons. 3 years below 30 goals. Another 2 years under 50 goals. So only 6 seasons of 50+ goals. Hardly '9 years at the very elite level'.

Tredrea? Nope. 11 seasons. 2000 - averaged 13 disposals and kicked 32 goals (not elite), 2010 - 7 games (injury - not elite season), 2006 - 11 games, 17 goals (not elite), don't remember him being particularly special in 07 and 08 either. So probably 6 elite years.

Guys like Pav, Brown, Harvey, Hayes put together just as many good seasons, their longevity and extra 100-200 games played makes up for their peaks not being as high as Tredrea/Cousins over a 3-4 year period.

 

[X_box_X]

7
Simon Black: Brisbane
291 games, 150 goals, 175 Brownlow votes (0.60 per game)
Position: Midfield
Premiership: 3 (2001, 2002, 2003)
Norm Smith Medal: 1 (2003)
Brownlow Medal: 1 (2002)
Best and Fairests: 3 (2001, 2002, 2006)
All Australian: 3 (2001, 2002, 2004)
Simon Black is the second highest ranked Western Australian in my list. The three time premiership star from the Brisbane Lions was one of the most consistent players since 2000, despite winning most of his team and individual honours in the early part of the 2000s. To illustrate this, Black's season low disposals average was 22 disposals per game, and his high was 26.82 disposals per game, which creates one of the smaller standard deviations you're likely to come across. The 185cm, 81kg midfield champion had a very healthy balance of contested possessions v uncontested possessions, with 47% of his disposals being in contested situations. Black was equally as damaging inside and outside, and would consistently carve up the opposition with his skill. He wasn't quick by foot, but he was extremely quick by mind. He was an all round football genius who worked extremely hard and was brilliant at bringing his teammates into the game. Whether getting in and under and feeding out a precise handball to a teammate, or delivering a pin-point pass to a leading forward with his trusty left foot, you could always count on Black to set up his teammates and ultimately influence the scoreboard. He was also a very good kick on the opposite side of his body. He had elite hands and was extremely tight in a contest and will be remembered as a true midfield technician. His peripheral vision is considered to be up there with the best the game has seen. By winning the Norm Smith Medal in 2003, Black's achievement of 39 disposals in that Grand Final victory is the most ever recorded by a player on Grand Final day. Some of his other achievements not listed above include finishing second in both the 2007 and 2008 Brownlow Medals, winning the 2001 Herald Sun Player of the Year, as well as becoming the first and currently only player in league history to have played 300 games, win a Brownlow Medal, a Norm Smith Medal and a Premiership. He averaged 24.24 disposals, 4.16 tackles, an elite 5.45 clearances and 4.1 forward fifty entries. He has recorded the most clearances, most forward fifty entries and the most contested possessions since 2000. He also averaged 0.78 goal assists per game, which ranks him 23rd all time. It's incredible to think he was drafted as low as 31 in the 1998 National Draft, but I think a lot of that had to do with the fact he missed 18 months of footy due to injuring his back as a 15-year-old.

 

[Wild Bill]

Could Pendlebury have missed completely?


You can add Tredrea, B.Harvey and Brown to the certainties list which takes the certainties to 17, but I'd take Cousins out as a certainty taking it back to 16. Leaving 3 of Cousins, Pendlebury, Hall, Richardson, S.Burgoyne and Fletcher.

I'd say straight off the bat Fletcher won't be in there and rightly so. Good player but not at the same level as the others listed.

Shaun Burgoyne only has 1 All-Australian to his name. A very important player for hawthorn but has never been considered a top 10 player in the comp at any stage in his career.

That leaves 1 of Hall, Richo, Pendlebury and Cousins to miss. Considering Cotchin is in you would think Pendlebury is a certainty, although I wouldn't have thought he would be above Selwood. Hall's record is elite, he should be there. That leaves us with Cousins and Richo for the last spot. Both careers started pre 2000 meaning some of their work misses the cut. Both had 2 AA's in the 90's, however Cousins has a further 4 in the 2000's against Richo's 1. Richo misses.

Agree on fetcher - every backmen listed so far you would would prefer in your side. Big chuck of the 2000 not taking the best forwards and playing the loose man in defence. Not a hard role.

 

[X_box_X]

6
Michael Voss: Brisbane
161 games, 137 goals, 94 Brownlow votes (0.58 per game)
Position: Midfield
Premiership: 3 (2001, 2002, 2003)
League MVP: 2 (2002, 2003)
Best and Fairest: 3 (2000, 2001, 2003)
All Australian: 3 (2001, 2002, 2003)
League Best Captain: 4 (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
Known for his fearsome attitude, inspirational leadership and his determination, Michael Voss is the sixth highest ranked player in my list. Standing at 183cm and weighing in at 88kg, it wasn't just his fearsome play, inspirational leadership and determination he is known for. Voss also oozed toughness that any soldier would be proud of. His former coach, Leigh Matthews, considered by many to be the greatest player and one of the most successful coaches of all time, once said if he could choose any past or current player to go into the battlefield for him, it would be Voss. Considering Lethal Leigh won four premierships as a player and four as a coach, that is a huge testament to the former Brisbane Lions triple premiership captain. Whether Voss was dishing out a bullet handpass with his left hand, or clearing the ball with his right boot, he would consistently turn a game in a blink of the eye. Extremely strong in one on one contests, either at ground level or in the air, the midfield general was arguably the best player in the game during the years of Brisbane's four consecutive Grand Finals. In those four years (2001-2004), Voss was voted as the league's Best Captain, the only player to have received that honour in four consecutive seasons. He also won the league's Most Courageous Player in 2001. Despite playing only 161 games in this period, he more than deserves this high ranking. He was everything you would want in a footballer. Even when he moved into the forward line for stints in the latter part of his career, he would influence the scoreboard, as evidenced by his seven goal effort against the Crows in 2004. He averaged 22.15 disposals, 4.27 marks, 4.32 forward fifty entries, 3.84 clearances and 0.85 goals per game. Voss was damaging inside and outside, and offensively and defensively with his tireless one percenters, making him a true footballer's footballer.

 

[X_box_X]

I'll have this list knocked over by Tuesday evening.

Anyone want to guess what my top five will be in order?

 

[Lemma]

Hmmm I'll give it a shot

1 Ablett
2 Riewoldt
3 Judd
4 Goodes
5 Franklin

EDIT: Switched Goodes and Franklin

 

[Wild Bill]

Ablett
Judd
Franklin
Riewoldt
Goodes

 

[Donakebab]

1. Ablett
2. Riewoldt
3. Judd
4. Goodes
5. Franklin

 

[The GOAT]

1. Ablett
2. Judd
3. Riewoldt
4. Franklin
5. Goodes

 

[theasian]

Most Probably will be,

1. Ablett 2. Judd 3. Riewoldt 4. Goodes 5. Franklin

 

[Surkin]

1. Gary Ablett Jr
2. Chris Judd
3. Nick Riewoldt
4. Lance Franklin
5. Jack Watts

 

[Rainfall]

1. Jack Watts
2. Tyrone Vickery
3. Nic Nautanui
4. Ayce Cordy
5. Billie Smedts

 

[X_box_X]

5
Lance Franklin: Hawthorn, Sydney *
204 games, 659 goals, 104 Brownlow votes (0.51 per game)
Position: Centre Half Forward, Full Forward
Premiership: 2 (2008, 2013)
Coleman Medal: 3 (2008, 2011, 2014)
Best and Fairest: 1 (2008)
All Australian: 5 (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014)
Drafted fifth overall by the Hawks in 2004, Lance Buddy Franklin has been the superior twin tower for his entire career, at both Hawthorn and Sydney. At 198cm and 102kg, he is an absolute freak of an athlete. He runs like the wind, is incredibly strong, agile, mobile, talented and skillful. The only criticism I have is sometimes he tries to do a little bit too much and gets caught holding the ball a lot, and his goal kicking accuracy can sometimes leave a lot to be desired. Despite that, he has actually kicked more goals than behinds in every season he has played and has a goal to behind ratio of 58.21%, which is only slightly below average, but it doesn't factor in the amount of shots he has that fails to score. His FF-FA ratio is a disappointing 0.37%, which highlights the fact he does try to do a little bit too much at times and gets caught with his pants down. Back to his good points and why he is rated fifth in my list. With 63 goals and a third place finish in the Coleman in 2007, Franklin was considered "the next big thing". After Seven goals in his final debut in 2007, including the match-winning goal in the late stages against Adelaide, the whole football world began to take notice. In 2008, he had arguably his career-best season, kicking 102 goals in the regular season, which is the most goals kicked in the home and away season by an individual player since 1998. In the Qualifying Final against the Bulldogs, he kicked eight goals, equaling the Hawthorn record for the most goals scored by a Hawk in a final. He has been a recidivist offender at times during his illustrious career, with numerous appointments with the AFL Tribunal. In 2009, he was rubbed out for two matches for a strike on Ben Cousins. In round ten of the 2010 season, he found himself suspended for the third time in eight matches for striking Sydney's Marty Mattner. One of his most memorable performances came in round 13 of the 2010 season against Essendon, where he kicked five goals. His last two goals were simply brilliant, which showcased his raw speed, agility and a finish the great Peter Daicos would be proud of. His final goal in particular earned him goal of the year. Hawthorn teammate Jordan Lewis kicked the ball towards Franklin, who had led up from CHF to contest the ball in a one-on-one with Cal Hooker. Franklin initially received a free kick, but played on to advantage as the kick traveled over his head. His quick turn of speed allowed him to explode onto the ball. As Franklin gained possession of the ball, he already had a three metre advantage on Hooker. At first, I thought Franklin was thirsty and wanted to buy a beer, because he bizarrely elected not to run directly straight at goal, but on an angle towards the boundary line. On his journey towards the fifty metre arc, he had two bounces, before seemingly straightening up. But then, bizarrely, he decided to once again take another bounce as he angled himself toward the boundary line. He took a couple of extra steps so he was practically on the boundary line, and he eventually let rip toward goal. His left foot finish was simply breath taking. The ball didn't deviate and went straight through, despite only having an incredibly small margin of error. In his first season for Sydney, he enjoyed his second best season, despite a slow start. His return of 79 goals from 22 games is his third best effort, but his 22 Brownlow votes eclipsed his previous best record of 20. With an average of 3.23 goals, 5.31 marks, 15.33 disposals, 2.8 forward fifty entries, 2.66 tackles, 3.12 marks inside fifty and 0.75 bounces per game, Franklin is one of the most athletic key forwards the game has ever witnessed.

 

[X_box_X]

4
Nick Riewoldt: St. Kilda *
281 games, 619 goals, 124 Brownlow votes (0.47 per game)
Position: Centre Half Forward
Best and Fairest: 6 (2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2014)
All Australian: 5 (2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2014)
League MVP: 1 (2004)
Rising Star: 2002
As the number one overall selection in the 2000 National Draft, Riewoldt was expected to be good. But not even the most optimistic of Saints fans could have expected him to be anywhere near as good as he has been. He only played six games in his debut year, but as soon as 2002 came around, the 19-year-old athlete was all guns blazing. Spending the majority of the 2002 season at Centre Half Back, he formed an impressive defensive partnership with Full Back Max Hudghton. Max seemed to take Nick under his wing. I believe Max even told Nick, "look, mate, it's OK to cry on the footy field. Just look at me. I cried after we lost to the Bulldogs in round nine of 2000, so if you ever feel like crying, go for it." A few years later, Nick took Max's advice and decided to cry against Brisbane at the GABBA. His 2002 season was extremely impressive for a second year player, so impressive that his averages of 14.5 disposals and 8.09 marks, combined with his reading of the play, agility and game sense saw him win the Rising Star Award ahead of Chris Judd and Luke Hodge. I challenge you to find me a greater top three in any season for a Rising Star Award. In fact, I dare say all players who finished top three in that season's award are better than all player who has finished top three in the award since. I also challenge you to find me a key position player who works as hard as the Saints' captain. The amount of ground he covers in a game would be right up there even with the hardest running midfielders. His work ethic, strength, game sense, leadership, courage, agility and match-winning talent makes Riewoldt the dream Centre Half Forward. Riewoldt's break out and career best season was 2004, where he not only won the League MVP, gained All Australian selection and won the Best and Fairest in a year where the Saints were six points away from a Grand Final, but he recorded the most marks ever in a single season (256). One of those marks was one of the greatest marks I have ever seen, where he ran back with the flight of the ball to take a stunning mark at full speed against Sydney at the SCG, which exemplified pure courage. The mark was controversially beaten by Ashley Sampi for the Mark of the Year. His career average of 8.65 marks per game is the second most of all time, behind former Bulldog and Kangaroo Gary Dempsey. In his 281 games, Riewoldt averages 2.2 goals, 8.65 marks, 16.38 disposals, 3.28 forward fifty entries, 3.14 marks inside fifty and 2.04 contested marks. Most of those stats leaves my number five player Lance Franklin for dead, and despite Franklin having the two premierships, I have rated Riewoldt as the greatest forward since 2000. Riewoldt ranks number one in the following categories since 2000. Marks, contested marks and marks inside fifty. He also haa an elite FF-FA ratio, with an average of 1.31 Frees For and only 0.49 Frees Against, a ratio of 72.78%. Unfortunately I couldn't find a stats source that ranks players for FF-FA ratio, but I reckon that would be up there with the very best. Riewoldt's most famous free kick of all time probably got his team into the 2009 Grand Final. Prior to the opening bounce of the second half of the 2009 Preliminary Final against the Bulldogs, umpire Shane McInerney controversially awarded the Saints' skipper a free kick for a seemingly minor hip and shoulder by Bulldogs defender Brian Lake, 80 metres behind the play. Despite that bit of fortune, the champion Saint kicked the only two St. Kilda goals in the final term to get his team over the line. It's what he does. It's what he will continue to do. He's an absolute star and it's unfortunate he hasn't won a premiership despite so many near misses. It's also unfortunate that a photo of his penis was posted on the internet for all to see, back in 2010.

 

[X_box_X]

3
Adam Goodes: Sydney *
331 games, 420 goals, 162 Brownlow votes (0.50 per game)
Position: Utility
Premiership: 2 (2005, 2012)
Brownlow Medal: 2 (2003, 2006)
Best and Fairest: 3 (2003, 2006, 2011)
All Australian: 4 (2003, 2006, 2009, 2011)
AFLCA Champion of the Year: 1 (2006)
The genius of Adam Goodes has played more games than any player in the 2000s. His athleticism, talent, versatility, strength, balance, vision, fitness, games sense, leadership and durability has played a huge part in getting the former Swans captain to 300 games and beyond. The indigenous star and current Australian of the Year is a perfect example of a player who can play absolutely anywhere on the field. He won a Brownlow Medal playing in the ruck in 2003, and then enjoyed his career best season in 2006 playing in the midfield and winning a second Brownlow. Since 2008, Goodes has kicked 239 goals from 142 games, an average of 1.68 per game, which highlights his talent when playing in the forward line (with a large chunk of those games also spent in the midfield). There's not one stat that Goodes absolutely dominates in, but he simply doesn't have a weakness, and performs at an above average level in every phase of the game. For a 194cm and 100kg build, he is a freak of a midfielder. Career averages of 17.54 disposals, 5.53 marks, 1.27 goals, 2.47 tackles, 3.73 forward fifty entries, 2.47 clearances, 1.2 contested marks, 1.32 marks inside fifty, 0.76 goal assists and 2.24 one percenters are all well and truly above average. His total of 739 one percenters is the most since 2000 for a non defender. He has had the third most goal assists since the stat was introduced in 2003, showcasing his hunger to bring his teammates into the action and create opportunities for them. Above all, the thing that probably separates Goodes from every other match winner is he creates the toughest match up, simply because of his build and the fact that he doesn't have a weakness.

 

[Surkin]

I know you've got him at number 4 but I still feel Riewoldt gets a little underrated in these sorts of lists. Perhaps it's because he's never tasted the highest glory, perhaps it's because he is slightly effeminite and not your blooey bloke like a Luke Hodge. For me he is right beside Judd and GAJ as the greatest players of the 21st Century.

 

[AFDogs]

I think Riewoldt would be my #2. He's an absolute gun.

 

[theasian]

No way Riewoldt should be rated above Goodes.

You've got the Top 3 Right, though I may argue Goodes should be No 2 because of his versatility.

Riewoldt at 4 is fair. Best Forward of the 21st century up to now so should be rated ahead of Franklin.

 

[BusinessMan]

Surely the likes of Black and Pavlich get ahead of Voss considering they have played 120-150 more games since 2000.

 

[El_Scorcho]

Who did?

Cousins? Nope. 11 years. 10 seasons. 1 injury year (7 games). 2 good without being spectacular years at Richmond. Only 7 'elite years' and that's not getting into much depth re: 2000 and 2002.

Fevola? Nope. 11 seasons. 3 years below 30 goals. Another 2 years under 50 goals. So only 6 seasons of 50+ goals. Hardly '9 years at the very elite level'.

Tredrea? Nope. 11 seasons. 2000 - averaged 13 disposals and kicked 32 goals (not elite), 2010 - 7 games (injury - not elite season), 2006 - 11 games, 17 goals (not elite), don't remember him being particularly special in 07 and 08 either. So probably 6 elite years.

Guys like Pav, Brown, Harvey, Hayes put together just as many good seasons, their longevity and extra 100-200 games played makes up for their peaks not being as high as Tredrea/Cousins over a 3-4 year period.

Yeah, if we're talking about consistency of elite football, one of these things is not like the other.

I'm happy for you to say that Tredrea didn't play 11 elite seasons and because of injury, you're absolutely right.

But then to list Brown and his 2 AA guernseys and maybe 3 years of genuine elite CHF play ahead of him based on longevity and consistency over the timeframe?

Nope.

 

[X_box_X]

2
Chris Judd: West Coast, Carlton *
271 games, 224 goals, 209 Brownlow votes (0.77 per game)
Position: Midfield
Premiership: 1 (2006)
Norm Smith Medal: 1 (2005)
Brownlow Medal: 2 (2004, 2010)
League MVP: 2 (2006, 2011)
All Australian: 6 (2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
Best and Fairest: 5 (2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010)
AFLPA Best First Year Player: 2002
Thousands of boys around Australia dream of playing Australian Rules in the Australian Football League. If they are lucky to be good enough to be drafted and enter the AFL system, they dream of having a successful career. Those successes usually include the following in order: 1) To win a premiership. 2) To win a Brownlow Medal. 3) To win a Norm Smith Medal. 4) To win a Best and Fairest (especially in a premiership year). 5) To be All Australian (especially All Australian captain). 6. To win the Leigh Matthews Trophy as League MVP. 7) To win a Coleman Medal. 8) To win the Rising Star Award. 9) To be club captain. 10) To take Mark of the Year. 11) To win Goal of the Year. And 12) To marry Jennifer Lopez.

Chris Judd dreamed of all of those, and he is fortunate enough to have achieved most of them. It's easier for me to tell you which of those he has failed to achieve. He hasn't won a Coleman Medal, but that's because he's too good of a player to play anywhere other than in the midfield. He didn't win the Rising Star Award, but he was runner-up to the player I rated fourth in my list. Besides, he won the next best thing anyway - the best first year player. He also hasn't taken mark of the year, although he has taken a number of good marks since first making his debut in 2002.

Judd was drafted by the Eagles with the third overall selection in the 2001 National Draft. Entering the Draft Combine, there was a bit of doubt surrounding Judd's shoulders, and despite the Victorian being overlooked by both Hawthorn and St. Kilda, West Coast were more than happy to draft him and send him to Perth. 2001 is known as the year of the "Super Draft". So "Super" that despite being number two in my list, there is someone else drafted in that year's draft who has toppled him as my number one player since 2000.

Gifted when it came to both sport and at an academic level, Judd was a high school athletics star who captained his school in footy, Caufield Grammar. He also achieved a year 12 ENTER score of 96.20.

In Judd's second year, he finished as runner up to Ben Cousins in the Best and Fairest. It was his five-goal first half performance against Brisbane in round 12 of that season that took the AFL world by storm. Commentator Dwayne Russell said of Judd, "he's a kid trapped in a man's body" such was his dominance in that game. By his third season, a star was well and truly born, as he won his first of two Brownlow Medals. He won the award in a canter, defeating runner-up Mark Ricciuto by seven votes. In 2005, Judd won the Norm Smith Medal in a losing side, won the Goal of the Year, and once again finished runner-up to Brownlow Medalist Ben Cousins in the Best and Fairest. In 2006, Judd enjoyed his best season. He won his only premiership, the League MVP, the Best and Fairest, was All Australian, and also won a plethora of other awards. By this time, he was easily considered the best player in the competition.

At 189cm and 88kg, Judd is an intimidating size for a midfielder. He is explosive, talented, skillful, well balanced, quick by mind and foot, a deadly finisher, fit, strong, resilient, determined, has a sensational work ethic, has great game sense and is a tremendous leader. And despite achieving most of his successes at West Coast, he has been just as good of a player at Carlton. In 2009 and 2010 at the Blues, Judd achieved career highs in disposals and forward fifty entries. In 2011, he achieved career highs in tackles, goal assists and clearances.

Over the course of his career, he averages 23 disposals, 0.83 goals, four tackles, an elite 4.59 forward fifty entries and 5.36 clearances, an elite 0.82 Brownlow votes, an elite 1.17 running bounces and an elite 0.8 goal assists. He also has a very healthy Contested Possession to Uncontested Possession ratio, averaging practically 11.5 of each, making him not only damaging on the inside, but also the outside, as evidenced by his 1.17 running bounces per game, which is crazy amount in the contested style of this day and age football. Since 2000, he ranks second behind Brent Harvey for forward fifty entries and second behind Simon Black for both clearances and contested possessions. Considering he is also second in my list, it's amazing he hasn't played his entire footy for Collingwood, who are the Kings of second place finishes.